DHARAMSHALA, December 5: The ancient Indian knowledge including Ahimsa helped us get through and keep peace of mind during our troubled times, said the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the annual prize distribution function of Government PG College, Dharamshala today.

“By the age of 16 I lost my freedom and situation became very difficult. At 24, I lost my own country and went through lots of suffering and problems. During those periods and throughout my life, ancient Indian knowledge helped me in keeping peace of mind,” Tibetan spiritual leader told the Indian students about the importance of the ancient Indian knowledge.

Calling himself as the ‘messenger of ancient Indian thought’, the Dalai Lama urged the young Indians to pay more attention to their own ancient tradition, which according to the spiritual leader is very useful and relevant in today.

His Holiness said, “My young brothers and sisters, please keep in mind the greatness of ancient Indian knowledge, which is very relevant in today’s world. You must follow it. Traditionally you are our gurus (teachers) and we are your chellas (students).”

The 82-year-old spiritual leader added that Tibetans are the ‘reliable’ chellas since the ancient Indian knowledge have been safely preserved in Tibetan scriptures for over 1000 years while the gurus were attracted toward material value.

The Dalai Lama also announced his intention of being ‘fully committed’ to work towards revival of ancient Indian knowledge, according to secular way.

“India is the only nation which can combine modern technology, science, modern economy with the ancient Indian knowledge of how to tackle our mind, our emotion and bring peace of mind,” the Dalai Lama said, adding that the modern education system is inadequate to bring happiness to individual and community due to lack of focus on inner values.

Thanking His Holiness for gracing the occasion and accepting the invitation in short time, Govt. College Principal Sunil Mehta said, “Personally speaking your holiness, this day will be most meaningful chapter in my life and the entire college shall remain indebted to your holiness for blessing this special day.”

Visiting a college function for the third time, the Tibetan spiritual leader was felicitated with a traditional cap and shawl along with a statue of Buddha.